More than 50 Fulton County voters arrived at Dobbs Elementary School before the polls opened at 7 a.m., in an election that has already seen record-breaking early voting numbers.
The voters were spared from having to stand outside in the cold, and bide their time — reading, chatting with strangers or standing quietly — in a hallway lined with bright construction paper art projects.
At the very head of the line, sitting in a folding chair sporting the Falcons logo, was 19-year-old Aleeia Smith and her mom. They'd arrived around 5:30 a.m.
The University of West Georgia student said being first in line was significant because it was her first time voting.
"I'm very excited," Smith said. "Plus, my mom has to go to work and I have to go back to school so it's important to be first so we can get it out of the way."
Regardless of her place in line, Smith said she voted because she does not want Donald Trump to win.
"I know that my vote is important, so I wanted to make sure that I cast my ballot."
Fulton County projected that the majority of voters cast their ballot early, part of the 2.38 million people statewide who voted during Georgia's early voting period.
The contentious presidential election has driven the high turnout, but Fulton voters are also faced with four proposed constitutional amendments involving trauma care funding, judicial oversight, help for victims of sex trafficking and failing schools (Gov. Nathan Deal's Opportunity School District). Also on the Fulton ballot is a proposal for a transportation tax that would raise $655 million over five years for projects like road and bridge improvements.
During the past two presidential elections, Fulton has had problems at the polls, including voter registration lists that did not make it to precincts on time and counts that took longer than they should have.
As part of a nationwide effort to assure compliance with federal voting laws, Fulton is one of three counties in Georgia where federal poll monitors will be stationed on Election Day.
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